  
Fetal drug exposure does undermine behavioral development
Last Updated: 2001-05-01 11:30:46 EDT (Reuters Health)
BALTIMORE (Reuters Health) - Exposure to cocaine or opiates in utero places the child at greater risk for behavioral problems, according to results presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in Baltimore.
Evidence linking in utero drug exposure (IUDE) with poor behavioral outcomes, diminished academic skills, and lower IQ is controversial, explained Dr. Arlene Butz from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland in her presentation.
Dr. Butz's team followed 93 children with IUDE and 27 nonexposed children of similar socioeconomic status to age 4 years, measuring IQ, behavior, and school readiness with validated instruments. The mean IQ was below average in both groups, Dr. Butz reported, at 85 for children with IUDE and 88 for nonexposed children, with no statistically significant difference between groups.
Similarly, school readiness scores were below average for both groups but not significantly different, she said.
Behavior scores were, however, significantly different, Dr. Butz said. Children with IUDE fared notably worse than nonexposed children on tests of sustained concentration, object orientation (the ability to focus on and examine an object), and persistence (the ability to play without distraction).
Caregiver IQ also differed between the two groups (78.6 for caregivers of children with IUDE versus 83.6 for nonexposed children's caregivers), Dr. Butz noted, and was the best predictor of abnormal play behavior in the child.
The researchers concluded that these behavioral deficits and subnormal IQ and school readiness "may undermine future academic and social development from an already jeopardized level of functioning."
"Early preschool intervention is critical for successful academic achievement in these children," Dr. Butz said. "Home and school interventions should address the children's organic and self-regulation skills."
-Westport Newsroom 203 319 2700
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